Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with (1) employers, and (2) trade unions, on the use of so-called ‘dismissal and re-engagement' strategies in negotiations with employees.
Using threats about firing and re-hiring as a negotiating tactic is unacceptable. If the employer changes an employee’s terms and conditions without their agreement, the employee may be entitled to seek legal redress.
The Government has been working with ACAS on this issue, who are seeking insights and views from employer bodies and trade unions, as well as professional bodies with advisory contact with employers, such as employment lawyers, accountants, and payroll services.
This work is generating valuable information on the circumstances when fire and hire practices have been used and their impact on the workplace.